I would like to build a Chevy 383 for my 56 Chevy, but the headers that fit my price range will not work with the larger diameter of the externally balanced 168 tooth Flex plate. I need to stick with the smaller 153 tooth plate for the headers. Using heavy metal to internally balance the crank would drive the cost of the rebuilt beyond my means. I have contacted flex plate manufacturers like TCI, etc. and they were of no help. Anybody have a cure for this......

How can your headers be that close? Your former engine, provided it was a V8, was the same size as the 383. The flexplate has to fit within the outer dimensions of the block. And, the bellhousings should be the same.

Dear Confused,
The 350 that was in the car was bolted to a TH350, the internally balanced 350 uses a 153 tooth flexplate. Patriot Headers make a really nice set of coated 3/4 headers for this car, but Patriot says the headers fit so tight to the block that the larger dia. 168 tooth flexplate for the 400 crank used to build the 383 will hit the headers. That is the delimma!

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name (usually not your first and last name), your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.